HISTORY TOUR OF PERTH
HISTORY TOUR OF
SWAN VALLEY AND GUILDFORD
If you belong to a community group that has access to a bus and driver then come with me and discover why and how Guildford and the Swan Valley became a powerhouse for development in the earliest years of the foundling colony.
Guildford’s town plan was put into place nine years before Perth, and is one of only two towns in Australia where the town itself is National Trust.
See the oldest standing church in Western Australia, and the furthest point that Captain Stirling reached in his journey up the Swan River in 1827, and the place he named after his wife back in England.
Touch the tree that that John Septimus Roe (the first Western Australian surveyor General) used as a marker tree in 1829 to mark out new settlers land holdings on the river.
See the tribute site to Yagan (Aboriginal leader and warrior) with hand painted aboriginal art work depicting the advent of white colonisation in Western Australia, and the resulting story of Yagan’s demise at the hands of local settlers not far from this very point.
Inspect a replica of the ‘Gig’ that Captain Stirling made his first foray up the Swan River in 1827, and see a dramatic representation of how he first met his wife.
Visit the Guildford Complex comprising the Gaol first built in 1841 then added to in 1868 with a full guided tour of this classic building, the adjoining Taylors Cottage and the Courthouse where today souvenirs and local produce can be purchased.
All this and much, much more is included in this seven hour tour highlighting the many and various historical buildings and sites, where history unfolded in this new colony.
The tour normally starts at around 9.30am and finishes up at around 4:30-5:00pm, but times can be changed to suit your particular requirements, though the content remains fixed.
The beginning of the tour normally commences with scones, jam, coffee and tea over-looking the River at Ascot and proceeds through Guildford and up into Swan Valley where lunch is taken at one of the quaintest and original tea rooms in the Swan Valley (Meals can be pre-ordered). A delicious hot Pumpkin Soup and a roll is always enjoyed by visitors'. Plus there is even a visit to the Chocolate Factory (time permitting) where you can avail yourself, after the free samples, of hot chocolate drinks, chocolate ice creams or a wonderful array assortment of all sorts of chocolate goodies from chocolate jellies, to peanut brittle to rocky road (at additional cost). The experience of a wine tasting treat is available, if requested, at $8 a head for groups over 15 people at the only French based winery in the Swan Valley where they have been producing superior wines since 1990.
Hear tales from the past of adventurers and entrepreneurs who helped shape Western Australia. And a visit to Guildford would not be complete without a visit to the Rose & Crown Hotel - the State's oldest serving hotel, which also claims the oldest Rose Bush in Western Australia, plus being haunted by three or four presences. Hear all this and more with a glass of lemonade on this very special inclusion.
A comprehensive 24 page manual accompanies the tour itinerary to illuminate the talk as the coach drives through and around the Swan Valley and historic site visits - the tour almost has something for everyone.
Each tour is separately arranged and booked to dates to suit your request. The all up fee for the day is currently $45 per person which includes the scones and jam, the soup and roll, the lemonade, the Gaol and Cottage Tour and my fee for the day, plus a special souvenir handout at the end of the tour.
If you are not in a community group but wish to avail yourself of these services I am more than happy to provide exactly the same itinerary if you can provide the vehicle.
Contact me on my mobile 0433 132 172.
I look forward to maybe catching up with you in the future, and sharing with you some of the great history of this wonderful area - until then best wishes and travel safely.